Yokkaichi Japanese Friendship Garden

The Yokkaichi Japanese Friendship Garden is located in Long Beach, California, and is the product of the sister-city relationship between Yokkaichi, Japan, and Long Beach, dating back to 1963.

The garden was originally located near the old City Hall. From historic photographs, I was able to determine that it was once more elaborate. In 2013, the garden was relocated to Recreation Park, with its original torii gate being the only obvious feature retained as part of a redesign led by students from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Japanese Garden in Lincoln Park,
dedicated August, 1964

Before visiting the garden, I was aware that it was small in size. One could argue that it is a stroll garden, but only because a pathway surrounds the lawn on which it is situated. There were very few plantings. The surrounding shrubs appeared to be Polygala myrtifolia (commonly known as the sweet pea shrub).

With the exception of the torii gate, there were very few hardscape elements present. A small, sickly-looking Japanese maple added a touch of color.

A Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) and an adjacent Pinus brutia (or possibly Pinus eldarica) also complemented the stone feature. Several nearby cherry trees added to the otherwise minimal selection of plantings.

Although the effort was well intended, the garden appears to be in poor condition, especially when compared with its original design and appearance in the 1960s, when it occupied a prominent location near City Hall. Perhaps in the future, additional funding and community support will make it possible to create a new design that embraces a more authentic approach to Japanese garden design.